Bristol Rovers manager Inigo Calderon praised teenage prospect Kofi Shaw after his star role in a stunning 3-2 victory over promotion-chasing Bolton.
The 18-year-old has been linked with Aston Villa and Leeds and showed why with an impressive performance alongside veteran striker Chris Martin, earning the early penalty that set the tone for a pulsating contest.
Calderon said: “If we are going to say they are going to be the next (Lionel) Messi or (Diego) Maradona then we have a problem, we have to give them time.
“So, I don’t want to give too much credit to Kofi because I want to protect him. We cannot rush things and we have to make sure he enjoys his football.
“But he showed he is a clever player, the penalty was down to his quick thinking and I was hoping if the ball was going to drop to anyone it would be him.
“Physically he is not the strongest player in the world, but he is one of those players who make up for not being the strongest by being quicker mentally and then he has quality on the ball.”
Calderon expressed pride in his team’s overall performance.
“It was a great match, I was so proud of the boys and the way they responded to setbacks,” the Spaniard added.
“We were up against a team fighting for promotion but our passion and heart made all the difference.
“We showed them too much respect in the first half but then we showed more of a front-foot mentality and good things happen.”
Centre-back Connor Taylor secured Rovers a dramatic victory when he headed in Isaac Hutchinson’s free-kick on 88 minutes.
Martin had put Rovers ahead with a fifth-minute penalty following Alex Murphy’s foul on Shaw. Aaron Morley drove in the equaliser from 15 yards but Martin restored the lead from Hutchinson’s cross.
John McAtee nodded in Morley’s near-post corner before Taylor had the final say.
Bolton manager Steven Schumacher refused to be downhearted as the Trotters’ six-match unbeaten run was halted.
“We’ve played great, the performance was good so there’s no big drama,” Schumacher said.
“The players’ energy and quality in the first half was excellent and in the second half we got into brilliant areas and probably won’t create as many chances, but we just haven’t taken them and we’ve been punished.
“We’ve got a huge game against Stockport at the weekend and tonight is a missed opportunity to go above them and give ourselves some momentum, but I won’t get too down about it.
“We’ve just got to take those chances. Aaron had an excellent chance, John McAtee was through one-on-one and he’s got to hit the target, and how Szabolcs Schon misses from a yard out I’ll never know.
“If we’d got in front I’m not sure they would have come back but then they got ahead and had something to hang on for.
“The players have shown they’ve got the quality and the character to get back into games so it’s not big deal. We’ve been on a brilliant run and so it’s no big drama.”
Celtic clinched the William Hill Premiership title in style with a 5-0 victory over Dundee United at Tannadice.Nicolas Kuhn and substitute Adam Idah both hit doubles after Ryan Strain’s 30th-minute own-goal kicked off the rout.Celtic had only needed a point but they wrapped up their fourth consecutive championship in similar fashion to last year, when a 5-0 win at Kilmarnock earned Brendan R...
Chris Wilder labelled his side’s 2-0 win over Stoke a “proper away performance” as they got back to winning ways.The Blades had seen their automatic promotion hopes ended after losing four of their previous five, including their last three matches away from Bramall Lane.An improved showing saw Sam McCallum, making just his eighth start of the campaign, score late in the first hal...
Goals from Sam McCallum and Andre Brooks ensured Sheffield United returned to winning ways with by beating Stoke 2-0.The Blades had seen their automatic promotion hopes ended after losing four of their previous five, including their last three matches away from Bramall Lane.McCallum had scored just one goal since his summer move from Norwich but popped up at the back post when Rhian Brewster&rsquo...
Partick Thistle stunned title-chasing Falkirk as Terry Ablade secured a dramatic 2-1 William Hill Championship victory in the eighth minute of stoppage time.Thistle were reduced to 10 men after 35 minutes as Stuart Bannigan’s late challenge on Dylan Tait earned the midfielder a second yellow card.The hosts had taken a sixth-minute lead through interim manager Brian Graham’s 19th goal o...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Then & Now This Klopp seeing Slot can win the league with 80 points whilst he finished 2nd with 97 No, I won't. Real Madrid released a statement protesting the referee selection for Saturday's Copa del Rey final. Run Forest, run! In comparison Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, originaltrollfootball, Bleache...
WHAT HAPPENED?The Sun has reported Arsenal are ready to make a significant move to bolster their defence with a bid for the Barcelona defender, who has played a crucial role in the Blaugrana's push to win the treble this season.THE BIGGER PICTUREKounde is under contract until 2027 and has established himself as a key part of the Barcelona defence. He has played 51 times in all competitions this se...
Paris Saint-Germain gave serious thought to signing Christopher Nkunku during the winter transfer window but ultimately chose not to move forward. Although he remained at Chelsea, signs now point to a possible departure this summer.Nkunku joined Chelsea from RB Leipzig in 2023 for £52 million, but injuries and competition have kept him from locking down a regular spot in the starting lineup, ...
Ruben Amorim has said he is convinced that Manchester United can land their summer targets even after a disastrous season which could end in failure to qualify for European competition.United's hopes of reaching the Champions League rest on winning the Europa League. Even if they lift the trophy, Amorim's team remain on course for their lowest Premier League finish.The Portuguese coach is plotting...
Rashford urged to move to Newcastle by WrightIan Wright believes Newcastle United would be an ideal club for Marcus Rashford with his future at Manchester United in doubt.Wright told the Ringer FC podcast of a possible deal for Rashford: "It's the kind of signing Newcastle should be making. That would be amazing. That would be dangerous. Rashford at Newcastle? Yeah. That would be really good. I re...
Birmingham boss Chris Davies says the Blues should be very proud of breaking the 100-point barrier.Alex Cochrane’s winner after 75 minutes was hit from 30 yards and was perfectly-placed to find the corner and hand City a 1-0 win at Stevenage.And it takes them onto 102 points with three games remaining.“I’m very proud,” said the Birmingham boss. “Not many teams will ge...
- 1 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 2 Cole Palmer’s girlfriend Connie Grace dazzles in low-cut top and mini skirt
- 3 Man Utd & Man City join PSG in race for Akliouche
- 4 We always have a chance – Miron Muslic bullish as Plymouth boost survival hopes
- 5 Tottenham to compete with Man City for defender
- 6 Ten-man Falkirk beaten by Raith as late goals keep title race alive
- 7 Big Brother legend Chanelle Hayes flaunts weight loss in red bikini
- 8 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 9 Daily Laugh - Totttenham 1-2 N Forest
- 10 Conor Gallagher's girlfriend dazzles on red carpet as stars gather in Madrid